Describe Your Bladder Problem/Progression

[Audrey_M]

Back in August, a member posted about occasionally having to concentrate in order to relieve her bladder and realized that this was indeed a bladder problem she should have reported to her neurologist.

That post made me realize that I, too, have a bladder problem, which I neglected to mention at a neuro appointment in September! I don’t know how this fits into types of bladder problems, but I have on a number of occasions urinated on my hand while preparing to wipe myself (sorry for the detail) after I thought that I had voided my bladder. It was not a trickle, it was a stream and this has happened enough times that it falls into the problem category.

So I have two questions:

1. How does your type of bladder problems related to neurological dysfunction manifest itself?

2. If you have had bladder problems, what has been the progression of your problem?

Thought this might be helpful to others out there.

[anon07072023]

My inital bladder symptom was slight incontinence.  I don't really have that anymore.  And also sudden bladder spasms with incontinence.  Then, I have stress incontinence, but I think that's unrelated to MS since I've had it for over 20 yrs.  Then I have frequency & urgency.

I've had 2 urodynamics tests in the last couple of years.  (Sometimes I think they don't catch everything though).  It did show that I was retaining a little bit after I thought I was finished (I think about 50 cc). And it also said that I had too much pressure inside - which could damage my kidneys.

I do have problems starting as well. And because of my spasticity, I don't have a normal stream. Sometimes, I get an irradic - go all over the place stream - all over my legs & even up and over the toilet seat.  The last time they did my urodynamics test, they filled up my bladder until I told them I thought that I really felt like I needed to go.  When I went to urinated the pressure was so strong from my spasticity that it actually shot the catheters right out of inside of me. (That was exciting ;-))

When I was doing pelvic floor PT - some of it was working "internally" on me. They would tell me that the muscles around my urethra were  in constant spasm - yet, I didn't even know.

But, overall, the urologist says it's pretty much normal.

[jensequitur]

Bladder problems... I think those of us with spinal lesions suffer the most.  I'm fortunate in that mine qualifes as urge incontinence - I have a hard time holding it when I'm coughing, sneezing, or throwing up.  I also have a hard time going when it's time - sometimes it won't open up, even if I really have to go.  I can push sometimes and force it past the tensed muscle that keeps it in.

My PA (temporary until I get another neuro) suggested Kegel exercises.  I have no problem in that area.  I can clench pretty hard, and it doesn't do a dang thing.  I spent the day throwing up before my appendectomy, and that was sheer ****.  Too nasty to get into but I eventually just took everything away in front of the toilet and had to disrobe.  Then I had to go to the ER - without taking a shower first.  Sheesh.

Anyway, that may be TMI, but bladder problems can make you feel old before your time.

[Karen99]

Audrey - I found this post but am still looking for the "Incontinent PT" experience that Quix had.  That post has some great insights.  

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/QUIX---Incontinence---sensitive-topic/show/1275653

[Karen99]

Frequency and urgency was one on my first symptoms of MS, long before any other symptom.  It was frustrating at that time because all of a sudden I felt the need to urinate frequently, so much so that I was convinced I had a UTI. I could not believe it each and every time there was no UTI.

Got checked out by a urologist.  He was no help. Just swiped my insides to make sure there was no tumor. That was the weirdest exam I ever had. He did not palpate the bladder, just did a quick finger swipe from the inside.

I had a standing order at the urgent care to check for UTI's.

Things have not progressed much. There was a brief time that I could not get my bladder to empty fully. That is gone now. Pretty much back to normal now but still have a neurogenic bladder. I find I have less problems if the stream is strong.  The weaker the stream, the more often I have to go - and then not much result.  Maybe I'm not fully emptying my bladder during those times but not enough to cause any problems.

I do know that I have a small bladder and caffeine causes me to have frequent urination with urgency with little result. Caffeine can irritate the bladder but I love coffee so I live with it.

Once when I was in a flare, there were a couple of occasions where a toilet was not available.  I told my bladder wait.  It said it wanted to go. I said no.  Finally when I was able to relieve myself, my bladder was stuck on off. Went into weird spasms - wee wee'd in spurts while my brain and bladder wouldn't get into synch. Finally urine came out in spurts. Weird.

All this is probably TMI but these problems and managing them can be confusing.  

Quix wrote a great post about talking to your bladder.  I talk to my bladder occasionally and can trick it into behaving.

So long story short, I once had a big nuisance with my bladder but now am close to normal, mixed with occasional talking to my bladder sessions as needed.

No progression, much improvement since my flare from hell many years ago.  

[torikat32]

Hi Audrey sorry to hear your having these issues as well. I just went to my urologist last week and I am going to have to start cathing only as a needed basis right now and I can only hope it stays this way. My problem is not being able to go it feels like  having a uti but I dont the pain pressure and only able to go a few drops and still feeling full. I would say I feel like this maybe 2-3 times a week and it seems to coinincide with me being on my feet alot  I used to have it every night after coming home from work on my feet all day.

I dont think I answered your questions but if you have anymore or need more help just ask. please call your primary and let her knoww so you can get a referell

Kat

[LisaJF]

Excellent questions and please ask them when you see your Neurologist.  However, a visit to a urogynecologist may be in order as well (if you haven't done so).  Urodynamic testing may be needed to assess issues as well as other tests.  (That's if you haven't already gone through this -- perhaps it would behoove me to read through your older posts? LOL).

Many here have a plethora of stories and experiences to share (details and all LOL).  Mine: I love when I wipe and go to stand up to pull up my pants and out it comes with no control.  Or rarely (not often thank god) it just comes out without any control whatsoever.  Talk about details.

I realize its not a funny issue, but sometimes I have to see some humor in what goes on with me to deal with it.

One thing I may add though, is that everyone is different in their progression of MS (urinary issues) or any other type of health issue.  Not one person is the same.  Similar, but rarely the same in progression.

If you have not mentioned this to your Neurologist or Primary doctor, perhaps your primary could be the person to refer you to a urogynecologist?  Or have other suggestions to where you should go from here.  It's not normal to have what is happening to you whether it's an anatomical issue or a neurological issue.  That is what has to be determined.

Let us know how it goes!

Lisa